Does anyone finds this instructive?
Next month, Cyndi Lauper's 1986 hit "True Colors" takes on new meaning when the True Colors Residence for homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (L.G.B.T.) youth opens in Harlem on September 1.
In New York City, a very disproportionate number (up to 40 percent), of homeless youth identify as L.G.B.T. Even more disturbing are reports that these young people often face discrimination and at times physical assault in some of the very places they have to for help. This is shocking and inexcusable!
— Cyndi Lauper
The idea behind the 30-bed facility, which is on W. 154th St. near Frederick Douglass Blvd, was conceived by Lauper, her manager and the West End Intergenerational Residence, a non-profit that provides housing and support for homeless families and seniors.
The True Colors Residence will be the first permanent housing facility in New York for homeless L.G.B.T. youth.
"In New York City, a very disproportionate number (up to 40 percent) of homeless youth identify as L.G.B.T.," the Queens singer, actress and writer said in a letter urging donors to support the project. "Even more disturbing are reports that these young people often face discrimination and at times physical assault in some of the very places they have to for help. This is shocking and inexcusable!"
The True Colors Residence, a project of West End Inter-generational Residence and partners Cyndi Lauper and her manager Lisa Barbaris, is slated to open in Central Harlem this summer. True Colors will be the first permanent, supportive housing facility for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth in New York State.
Lauper has long been an advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. In 2007, she created the True Colors Tour, in which she performed and talked about L.G.B.T. issues with Erasure, The B-52s, the Indigo Girls, Deborah Harry and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. She founded the True Colors Fund in 2008, a non-profit for the advancement of L.G.B.T. equality.
The True Colors Residence was subsequently constructed. The new energy-efficient building contains 30 studio apartments for youth aged 18 to 24 to live in, and indoor and outdoor community space. Residents will pay rent based on their income and receive job placement help, according to the facility's Web site.
Lauper will be the honorary chair of the shelter's board, and her manager, Lisa Barbaris, will be the board's honorary vice chair.
"Our primary goal is to provide a physically and emotionally safe and supportive environment that will empower our young residents to be the self-loving, happy and successful individuals they were meant to be," Lauper wrote.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center has already started referring homeless and disconnected youth to the True Colors Residence.
"We have about 1,000 people a year come here," said Carrie Davis, the director of community services at The Center. "And at least 20 to 25 percent of those individuals face an issue of homelessness or are under-housed at some point in their adolescence."
Carl Siciliano, the founder and executive director of the Ali Forney Center, agreed that the new shelter was a much-needed facility.
"There are fewer than 200 beds for homeless youth in New York City, and fewer than ten beds for homeless L.B.G.T. youth," he said. "So every new bed aimed at this new population is really a matter of life and death that could get kids off the street."
He said the Ali Forney Center had also already referred and placed youth in studio apartments at the True Colors Residence.
Lauper's new shelter is part of a slowly growing movement that's calling attention to the plight of homeless L.B.G.T. youth in New York. In 2009, Mayor Bloomberg's office created a 25-member Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Runaway and Homeless Youth. The director of the commission is Jeanne B. Mullgrav, the commissioner of the Department of Youth and Community Development.
"We are ecstatic that, with the opening of the True Colors Residence, more housing and services will be available to help our most vulnerable youth succeed and thrive," said Mullgrav. "In 2010, Mayor Bloomberg’s Commission on L.G.B.T.Q. Runaway and Homeless Youth report highlighted that LGBTQ youth are particularly at risk of leaving home. In response, the Commission recommended the addition of beds and specialized services for this population, so we are especially pleased to see this vision becoming a reality."
Lauper, who was raised in Ozone Park, will also be performing at a 9/11 tribute at the U.S. Open on Sept. 10.
parts taken from Abbie Fentress Swanson article, thanks to her
Meanwhile our advocates throw or bar our homeless MSMs in particular and hire canine teams to keep them out of the establishment of advocacy
See:
my two cents in audio over the recent civil disobedience in Kingston
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